ChristiansUnite Forums

Round Table Discussion request


As a long time member, I decided to post this in hopes of being a true servant to Christ, as well as to my brothers and sisters here.   Please read the following with a tone of gentleness, Love, and desire, to serve you all, and Christ.  May He receive all the glory!


Let me start by saying, that Christians Unite has been more of a Blessing to me than most of you may ever know.   I truly have been ministered to here, many many times in the past, and there is no question in my mind that God's hand was in that and in this Ministry.


Having said this, in all sincerity, my heart is currently aching over CU.   As I browse the many threads here now, there is almost no interaction taking place.   I see numerous articles and devotionals which are indeed a blessing and uplifting, but the silence is deafening.   What has happened to cause this?

I know that some members in the past have left due to feelings being hurt for one reason or another, and I know this is probably bound to happen on any board.  But if you look at the member sign up numbers, and compare the postings count, something is not adding up.   Why are most of these people not participating?

From a little observing, I see tons of guests always browsing, but its always older dated threads.   I have to wonder if that isn't because there was real interaction going on there ( give and take conversation), unlike what can be seen in current threads.   



I assure you it is not my intent to accuse anyone, question any rules, challenge anyones authority or cause a ruckus etc. I ask this in REAL GENUINE LOVE.....

Brothers and Sisters, has this ministry lost its way?   If not, then I ask, where are the fruits of Christian fellowship?   I don't doubt that many guests are being ministered to, but why are they still guests?   This cannot be because the invitation has not been extended for whoever wants, to sign up.   Why are the many members who HAVE signed up, not interacting in many threads?

I sense in many threads a spirit of restraint if you will.   Again, I lay no blame, I'm just pointing out what I see.   I see where someone will post a question that could lead to lively conversation, but that is quickly followed by a flurry of posts that almost stifles the ebb and flow of interactive conversation.  I know some of these might be long time trouble makers come to stir things up again, but I suspect that a lot are honest requests for answers, or interaction with real people.  Even if the topic is questionable, shouldn't we show a spirit of love, patience, and exhortation to these, and spend some time using Gods Word to direct and guide these into truth, rather than just saying its so, because thats what the bible says?    I just don't understand this spirit of restraint I keep seeing.


I have no doubt the admins have spoken and prayed about this very thing already.  I would ask that before anyone hits that reply button, to re-read this a few times and try to really discern the sincerity and gentleness of my tone.   This is not an attempt to undermine anyones authority, lay blame, nor offend anyone.   I truly love this ministry, and want to see it ministering to many, in a way that it has ministered to me, as well as be apart of that effort.


I'd really like to hear form Tom on this, as well as others who may be concerned, but please please please, re-read this a few times and consider in truth what I have said here before you reply.   If anything is stirred, let it be our hearts to serve Christ, and thereby be a blessing to others through our humble service to Him

I love all of you guys tremendously, I really do!


Your Brother In Christ - 2T/Tim


(please don't ban me.....lol)  :)

Hi 2T and TL,

I have been doing as you said, to think this out before answering. I have also been praying for the wisdom of the Lord in this. This forum and others that I frequent where I am just a member of I have noticed (and so has others here) that these forums go through cycles of cold and hot. It is just like the climate change debate.  ;)  The many members come and go. As for the number of people that join and post little or none at all, that has not changed at least not since I have joined here. I noticed that, even before I became a moderator. there would be many registrations where the people never posted anything. A majority of these people registering here do not come here with honorable intentions. Many of them come here with the intention of advertising or of spreading their garbage, not to learn or to glorify God.

We moderators do all we can to keep this a friendly Christian family forum. This sometimes requires a lot of extra work and effort on the part of all moderators. There is much that goes on behind the scenes here that is not seen by the members or guests in this aspect because of this.

I would love nothing more than to have the forums hopping at all times with Christians that are having fun and fellowship in the Lord. I will not compromise in the Lord's work though just to get this forum busy as is some of the other "Christian" forums that permit all sorts of anti-Christian garbage on them just for large membership and activity. I would rather preach to a church of one or two people, preaching the truth, than to be preaching PC to a million.

When people come here truly seeking to learn we do all we can to assist them. Unfortunately there are those that come here at times with the pretense of asking questions and wanting to learn but then later their true agenda is revealed. Most of these have had their later posts deleted so it is not obvious to the casual observer.

I am not sure in what regards that you feel a spirit of restraint. If this is in regards to such things as posting links to different sites that display all sorts of anti-Christian material in addition to some that does glorify God, then I am sure that will not change.

I for one do appreciate your candor and honesty in this but at the same time I am also positive that you do not have all the information and probably never will to understand the circumstances behind all of these situations.

PR, first let me say, thanks for taking all of what I said in the tone which it was really meant.   I really do love you guys, and this ministry with all my heart.

Let me also say that I have no doubt what-so-ever that all of you mods pour your hearts into this place, and I am also mindful that there's things going on behind the scenes that we may never know about (or want to know about for that matter....lol).   My hat is off to you guys, and believe me, you guys have my utmost respect, and gratitude for running this place...for that I can only say thank you!

I also agree about not compromising the Lords work in order to have a hoping CU as you put it.  I would never want to compromise here, or in my own life at home for active fellowship.  Please don't think this is what I was requesting brother.  I would never ask for things to be relaxed for anti-christian garbage to make its way in here.   You guys have worked too hard to keep this out of our midst, and I for one am truly grateful for this.


This too I understand...in fact I was witness to this just the other day, and applaud your quick response!   




Again we are on the same page.  I for one have no desire to provide, nor see any links being offered by anyone that leads us to anti-christian material....this is not what I want either.




Now that we are on the same page with all this, I'm going to take my own advice here and take some time before I continue on.    In the mean, let me ask a few easy questions  :)

What is CU's current vision as a Christian forum?   (I'm sure this is the same, but I ask only to be sure).



Brother, again, let me say thank you for hearing me out, and being patient.   My heart, really is in my hand here.   The last thing I want to do is tarnish my good name on CU, as resident Meese master.   :D

I speak for myself here in my words but I am sure the other Mods and Admin will agree with me on this. We have all discussed this before and this is the jest of it.

Christians Unite is a place that is safe for Christians of all ages to come to for clean Christian fellowship. A place where non-Christians that are truly seeking the Lord can come to get answers even if they do not become a member. In all things a place that glorifies God in all things. This is our current and future vision.

AMEN

2T as you know we have have kids, as young as 8 years old here.  This is why, we must keep the forum clean of anti-Christian garbage.

Brother I am in full agreement with that also....please believe me when I say that was not my point at all.  I would never ever suggest opening things up to AC garbage.   


Give me some time to find the words to better explain what I mean.


In all things a place that glorifies God in all things

To this I also say Amen times trice!!  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/2ndtimothy/smilies/clap2.gif)

Brothers and sisters, I've decided to take this further in email only, since DW has recently send me his email address.


DW, please share it with the other admins OK?   It will be there shortly...


Thanks!

Blessings

I will, although I am getting ready to head back to Church.  So it will be later I see your email.

OK so Just so ya'll know.. I have no issues with any thing ya'll have said so far,, Tim, and I have talked about this  abit and as he has said,, I agree, we have to be watchful and such for kids sakes and for other members sakes and  theres not even a blink of a thought that there should be any things CLOSE to ainti God garbage allowed in gracious no..
I guess.. maybe cause I was here a long time back.. before Tom and PR and DW etc .. ( and no im not trying to say that anythign that i said in my first post has anything to do with who was and wasnt  here then or now,, trust me,,,) I really luv and respect all you Mods and members new and old alike
Forgive me if i said anything in my first post that may have offended or hurt or made anyone think that I had anything against anyone.. far from the truth.. I guess..  anyways I have to head off  for a couple of hours.. will finish posting my thoughts then
luv and hugs
TL

I have another question guys, or possibly a suggestion...


I don't know what the software used for CU is capable of, but I've seen on other boards where they have a private - small group type areas, which can be seen, but not read by all..... where various members when requesting, can gain access from the mods to those set aside areas of the board, and discuss more personal matters, pray, etc. without the whole WWW.... being all up your business....lol

Not so much in regards to my previous thoughts in this thread, but rather for helping and assisting others with specifically, personal or private matters?.   (provided that feature is even possible that is?.)    ???

Blessings!

2T,

Check your email in a little while.

By what I know of this board and most other board software there is more than likely that capability but it would have to be setup by the admin (person higher up than us mods )

The biggest problem would be who to allow and who not...thus getting into people getting upset about being favorites and things of that nature.   Not sure the benefit or use here at CU though.

OK PR.


Brothe Jerry...I don't mean so much making a place on the board for ONLY a select few, but rather it being known as a PRIVATE area that only those requesting temporary access when they need to, could be ministered to in private, then that access is gone once the session is done.  Know what I mean?  Its not a "join my click type of area" on the board...its a lets go into one of our private prayer rooms type things for a short chat, then that door is locked once the session is over.

Perhaps Any left over discussion in there could be removed once its all done, leaving it blank for the next session.

PR, I have to head out to work, but I will check my email from there.

I am guessing here myself but I would say that forum software is not sophisticated enough to do such. It would probably require a completely different set of software. We had even thought of having the PM's setup based on membership time or amount of posts or some such thing. I believe it was determined to not be do able.

Hmmm....So, like setting up a password type of access to a particular forum is not possible?   Of course, going with the same theme I was talking about before, pw's would have to be changed each time someone new wanted access it. 

Just some thoughts I had, that might be useful.

Brothers and Sisters In Christ,

I first want to say that I understand and appreciate the comments in this thread. These issues have been a matter of thought and prayer many times.

I do want everyone to know that all of the moderators here are unpaid volunteers. This is one of our ways in serving GOD, and nothing else is involved. We have talked and prayed about these issues many times, and the Administrator of Christians Unite considers recommendations carefully when we make them. I'm positive that all recommendations to ADMIN result in considerable thought and prayer on his part.

I know that our Administrator is a strong Christian because of years in interacting with him. I don't have any problem at all in doing what he wants done and trying to achieve what he wants to achieve. The reasons are simple - his desires are most reasonable in service to GOD. He's never once told us or asked us to do anything questionable or anything that could harm the LORD'S work. The forum only represents about 4% of the work being done by Christians Unite. I pray for the ministry of Christians Unite every day, and I will quickly say that I have tremendous respect for our Administrator. His decisions are Godly ones, so I'm always happy to help him in any way that I can. I agree with what he wants, and I have no problem at all in trying to do what he wants done.

We are living in a time where many things with a label of Christian on it are so full of the world and the devil that it's hard to determine who they are serving. This is true for Christian organizations, Christian forums, and even churches that call themselves Christian. There are many large and busy Christian forums on the Internet that are a shame and a disgrace to the work of the LORD. They're easy to find, so there isn't any need of me mentioning them. They have provided pulpits for just about everything of the world, certainly including the devil. Large portions of the material on some of these huge and busy forums is Anti-Christ and obviously against the teachings of the Holy Bible. Satan worshipers and cults are most welcome on the forums I'm thinking about, and they are even provided with a pulpit to teach their garbage and filth from. Those places aren't fit for Christian family use and certainly not for children. They are places where there is a need for strong Christian witnesses, but the ones I'm thinking about have rules about what Christians can and can't do in even sharing the Bible or the GOOD NEWS with the obviously large number of lost people on the forums.

The mission of Christians Unite is posted everywhere in this large, online Christian community. It serves many thousands of Christians and the lost every day in a variety of ways that many people don't even know about. However, there is nothing secret about anything done on Christians Unite. Anyone can browse the entire online community and see exactly what is being done by Christians Unite. I'll simply say that I give thanks for this ministry and know that it is worthy of our prayers and support.

I'd like to say just a few more things about the forum on Christians Unite. There hasn't been any desire to compromise with the world or the devil to increase participation here. It's been made blunt and plain that there is no pulpits here for the devil's use. Christians Unite Forums is, in fact, an appropriate, clean, and safe place for Christian family fellowship - including children. Our number of readers and users online is much greater than it's ever been. In fact, it's more than double what it was in 2003 and before. Just the forum has over 10,000 page views per day, and that number is still rising. I thank GOD that HE is using the work here, and I pray that HE alone gets all the Glory.

In conclusion, I'd like to say that I also miss many of the older members and wish they would become active again. I'd also love to see many of our guests become members and have fellowship with us. I'm very happy to say that Christians Unite is a clean, safe, and family friendly place for Christian fellowship. I'm also very happy to know a Promise from GOD - HIS WORD will never return void. I must add one last thought: the lost are most welcome here. We would love to tell them about JESUS CHRIST and the CROSS.

Love In Christ,
Tom


1:  Romans 3:10 NASB  as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."

2:  Romans 3:23  NASB  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

3:  Romans 5:12  NASB  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--

4:  Romans 6:23  NASB  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

5:  Romans 1:18  NASB  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

6:  Romans 3:20  NASB  because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

7:  Romans 3:27  NASB  Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

8:  Romans 5:8-9  NASB  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

9:  Romans 2:4  NASB  Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

10:  Romans 3:22  NASB  even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

11:  Romans 3:28  NASB  For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

12:  Romans 10:9  NASB  that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

13:  Romans 4:21  NASB  and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

14:  Romans 4:24 NASB  but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

15:  Romans 5:1  NASB  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

16:  Romans 10:10  NASB  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

17:  Romans 10:13  NASB  for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Amen ;D